Dynamically Adjustable Nodes in a Sensor Network

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for dynamically adjusting nodes in a mesh network embedded in objects. The nodes, which are individually capable of sensing and/or transmitting data, are paired together such that when one node is active, the other node is collecting energy via solar, wind, or other energy collecting means. When a node reaches a certain energy level, the nodes can switch status, such that the passive node becomes active and vice versa. Exemplary objects in which the systems can be embedded include benches, receptacles, and light fixtures.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/117,489, filed Aug. 9, 2016, which claims the benefit ofpriority PCT/US15/15239, filed Feb. 10, 2015, which claims the benefitof priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/037,368, filed onAug. 14, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/937,961,filed on Feb. 10, 2014, all of which are expressly incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to sensor networks and more specificallyto adjusting the status of nodes within a sensor network according to aservice plan and power requirements.

2. Introduction

Mesh networks are networks where nodes act as both end points and asrelay points for other nodes. Such networks are useful for theirflexibility and redundancy. Wireless mesh networks can be implementedusing wireless technology, such as Wi-Fi (802.11, 802.15, 802.16, etc.),cellular communications, radio repeaters, etc. However, when seeking toprovide coverage over an area using a mesh network, a concern can be thereliability of the coverage. For instance, if the nodes in a meshnetwork are mobile, the specific areas covered at any point can change,resulting in areas with no network connection. Similarly, the powercapabilities of individual nodes in the mesh network can create servicedisruptions at various periods in a day. More specifically, both Wi-Fiand cellular communications have significant power requirements tomaintain a mesh node and communicate with non-node devices, which mustbe met in order to maintain connectivity.

Such power requirements are greatly complicated in specific settings,such as public settings or high-service areas. Here, the serviceconnectivity provided by the nodes in the mesh network can largelydepend on power capabilities, service requirements, and reachability ofeach of the nodes, as well as the arrangements of the group of nodes.Improper arrangements of nodes, insufficient power capabilities, orinadequate reachability of one or more nodes—all can create servicedisruptions which can be greatly inconvenient, particularly inhigh-service areas.

SUMMARY

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forthin the description which follows, and in part will be understood fromthe description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosedprinciples. The features and advantages of the disclosure can berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and otherfeatures of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from thefollowing description and appended claims, or can be learned by thepractice of the principles set forth herein.

The approaches set forth herein can be used to dynamically adjust nodesin a network, such as a mesh network, to maintain power capabilities andservice reachability based on the nodes in the network which areselected to be active and inactive. The nodes can include objects havingone or more sensors or signaling systems and power capabilities. In somecases, the nodes can be publicly available objects, such as storagereceptacles, including trash cans, compactors, and recycle cans; trafficobjects, such as signs and/or traffic lights; posts, such as lightposts; benches, such as work benches, park benches, or picnic benches;public transportation objects, such as subway entrances, bus terminals,train car columns; end caps; neighborhood signs and objects; etc. Insome cases, examples of publically available objects can include, butare not limited to: benches, storage receptacles (such as trashcans,dumpsters, soda machines, recycling bins, etc.), stoplights, signs(including traffic signs and/or enterprise specific signs), telephonepoles, posts, lights, mailboxes, guardrails, and so forth.

However, it will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in theart that this objects and nodes as used herein can apply to any type ofobjects, devices, or structures, including a wide variety of objects orstructures, such as park benches, and ranging from basic to veryspecific. For example, objects or nodes can include from broad orgeneric to very specific and detailed park benches, work benches,kiosks, rain shelters, building structures, tubing, charging stations,Wi-Fi points, outdoor event structures—both permanent and temporary—andother items or sites that may be placed in an area or which people mayuse or congregate near. In addition, the size and features of theobjects and nodes can vary by implementation, circumstances,requirements, setup, nodes, objects, planned system, etc. The objects ornodes can be small or large enough to include power and signalingcapabilities or otherwise connect to another object which may providepower and signaling capabilities.

Furthermore, in some cases, a node or object may refer to a single nodeor object, but can also refer to multiple nodes or objects. For example,in some cases, a node can refer to a cluster of objects which togetherform a node implemented as an object in the current invention. In otherexamples, a node can refer to a single node serving as either astandalone object with power and signaling capabilities or beingattached to one or more separate devices providing additional featuresor functionalities, such as power, signaling, displaying, logic, memory,storage, alerting, audio, visual, or any other functionalities.

The nodes can be placed or located together in groups of two or morebased on proximity. For example, nodes can be paired or adjacentlyplaced such that each pair is co-located within a vicinity. Being aco-located pair can being the two nodes are immediately adjacent to oneanother or within some threshold distance. For example, two trashcans,on opposite corners of an intersection, could be paired together becausethey are co-located on the same intersection. Alternatively, a bench anda trash can on opposite ends of a same block could also be pairedtogether based on their co-location in the same block. In variousembodiments, determining co-location can be a function of the range ofsensors, Wi-Fi, radio communications, or other functionality beingperformed.

When a first node in a pair of co-located nodes is active (for example,actively transmitting/receiving a Wi-Fi signal) and a second node in thepair of co-located nodes is inactive, a system configured per thisdisclosure can perform the following steps. The second node can receivea first energy level corresponding to energy in the first node and acurrent status of the first node. An exemplary energy level could be avoltage remaining in batteries of the first node, or an indication ofhow much time the node has remaining before reaching a specified powerlevel (such as a critical or shut-off power level). The current statusof the first node could be how much data is being transmitted orcommunicated by the node, how much power is being consumed by specificsensors and/or transceivers, or how long the node has been in an activestate. Alternative information which could be received includes anestimate of how long the energy level will remain above a thresholdbased on the current usage, how much overlap there is with other nodesin the mesh network, how much energy is available in each of the meshnetwork nodes, how much demand or consumption of energy or sensor datais required at a particular point or range in time, etc.

The second node also identifies, via a processor or analog means, howmuch energy is available to the second node. That is, the second nodedetermines its own power level. Based on the second energy level (i.e.,the energy level of the second node), the first energy level (the energylevel of the first node), and the current status of the first node, thesecond node or a remote management system can determine when an activestatus of the first node should be switched from the first node to thesecond node. When the second node or remote management system determinesthe active status should be switched between nodes in the pair ofco-located nodes, the second node is activated and the first node isdeactivated. Such activation/deactivation can be initiated by controlsignals from the second node, the remote management system, or a“master” node, with the control signals being distinct from the datacollected by sensors in the nodes or transmitted/received as part of awireless communication or remote management system.

In some cases, one embodiment can include a trashcan, compactor, orstorage receptacle on an opposite corner of an intersection fromanother, similarly configured trashcan, compactor, or storagereceptacle. For example, the two trashcans can be paired together asnodes in a mesh network of nodes. Each of the nodes in the mesh networkare powered using solar power collectors which charge batteries storedin the nodes. Other configurations could be powered using wind energy,geothermal energy, steam energy, or any other “renewable” energyresource. In other embodiments, the nodes can include other objects,such as benches, posts, or post office boxes, and can be different fromeach other. In other words, paired nodes can be the same type of nodes,such as two of the same or similar trashcans, but can also be different,such as a trashcan paired with a telephone station.

While one node in the pair is “active,” the other node can be inactiveand passively collecting and storing energy for later use. The activenode, in addition to communicating with the mesh network (including itspartner node it is paired with) or sending signals for nearby devices,such as user mobile phones, can record data using sensors and forwardthat data elsewhere, such as to a remote management system, usingcommunications interfaces at the nodes. In some cases, however, whileone node is active, the other node in the pair can also be active for anoverlapping period of time. Thus, activity and/or inactivity can overlapbased on a plan and configuration.

Example sensors can include precipitation sensors, light sensors,pollution sensors, movement sensors, traffic sensors, heat/temperaturesensors, RF/electromagnetic energy activity sensors, Wi-Fi interfaces,or any other type of sensor or interface for collecting data by thenode. In addition to sensors, the active node could be acting as a Wi-Fi(or radio or cellular) relay and access point or repeater.

An intersection can have two storage receptacles, for example. One canbe passively collecting energy for later use. The other can betransmitting and receiving a Wi-Fi signal. When the power level of theactive storage receptacle gets to a certain level, the two storagereceptacles can swap active status, with the previously active storagereceptacle collecting energy for the next time the storage receptacle istransmitting/receiving Wi-Fi and the previously passive storagereceptacle now communicating the Wi-Fi instead. The change in activityby the storage receptacles can be initiated by the storage receptacles,a remote management system, or a separate node in the network.

It should be noted that the active storage receptacles can still collectsolar or other energy while in an active state. However, because of theactive state, the rate of charging will often be diminished. Therefore,the switching between co-located nodes in the mesh network allows onenode to charge while the other is active, while simultaneously providingfull coverage of an area via sensors, Wi-Fi/cellular coverage, or otheractive module activity.

It is also noted that because the nodes are part of a network, otherconfigurations can combine nodes into groups of more than two, with morethan one active or inactive node at a time. For example, a group of 4nodes could be co-located within an area, and with a single node activeand three passively storing energy at any given time. In addition, theobjects containing the communication equipment to connect each node tothe network and provide needed sensors/transmission/reception equipmentneeded can be any publically accessible objects. Non-limiting examplesof such objects include benches, storage receptacles (such as trashcans,recycling bins, soda machines, newspaper machines), stoplights, signs(such as a stop sign, a business sign, a welcome sign), a telephonepole, a post, a light, and a guardrail.

Further, the area of the network can encompass any predefined area, suchas one or more blocks, one or more neighborhoods, one or more cities,one or more acres, one or more lots, one or more stores, etc. Forexample, the nodes in the network can be placed around a city in amanner that allows the nodes to be co-located such that activity,signaling, and energy can be distributed between the co-located nodes tomaintain a continuous activity, signaling, and energy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the principles briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principlesherein are described and explained with additional specificity anddetail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example architecture for remotely controllingelectrically-powered compactors or other publically available object;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example storage receptacles;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary city grid having multiple potentialnodes;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a city grid having a mesh network enabled;and

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below.While specific implementations are described, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. Other components andconfigurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure.

A system, method and computer-readable media are disclosed whichdynamically adjust nodes in a mesh network, where the nodes are embeddedin public objects. A brief introductory description of a basic generalpurpose system or computing device in FIG. 1, which can be employed topractice the concepts, is disclosed herein. A more detailed descriptionand variations of electrically-powered receptacles, as well as systemsfor dynamically adjustment sensors and compactions will then follow.These variations shall be described herein as the various embodimentsare set forth. The disclosure now turns to FIG. 1.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system and/or computing device100 includes a processing unit (CPU or processor) 120 and a system bus110 that couples various system components including the system memory130 such as read only memory (ROM) 140 and random access memory (RAM)150 to the processor 120. The system 100 can include a cache 122 ofhigh-speed memory connected directly with, in close proximity to, orintegrated as part of the processor 120. The system 100 copies data fromthe memory 130 and/or the storage device 160 to the cache 122 for quickaccess by the processor 120. In this way, the cache provides aperformance boost that avoids processor 120 delays while waiting fordata. These and other modules can control or be configured to controlthe processor 120 to perform various operations or actions. Other systemmemory 130 may be available for use as well. The memory 130 can includemultiple different types of memory with different performancecharacteristics. It can be appreciated that the disclosure may operateon a computing device 100 with more than one processor 120 or on a groupor cluster of computing devices networked together to provide greaterprocessing capability. The processor 120 can include any general purposeprocessor and a hardware module or software module, such as module 1162, module 2 164, and module 3 166 stored in storage device 160,configured to control the processor 120 as well as a special-purposeprocessor where software instructions are incorporated into theprocessor. The processor 120 may be a self-contained computing system,containing multiple cores or processors, a bus, memory controller,cache, etc. A multi-core processor may be symmetric or asymmetric. Theprocessor 120 can include multiple processors, such as a system havingmultiple, physically separate processors in different sockets, or asystem having multiple processor cores on a single physical chip.Similarly, the processor 120 can include multiple distributed processorslocated in multiple separate computing devices, but working togethersuch as via a communications network. Multiple processors or processorcores can share resources such as memory 130 or the cache 122, or canoperate using independent resources. The processor 120 can include oneor more of a state machine, an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or a programmable gate array (PGA) including a field PGA.

The system bus 110 may be any of several types of bus structuresincluding a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. A basicinput/output (BIOS) stored in ROM 140 or the like, may provide the basicroutine that helps to transfer information between elements within thecomputing device 100, such as during start-up. The computing device 100further includes storage devices 160 or computer-readable storage mediasuch as a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive,tape drive, solid-state drive, RAM drive, removable storage devices, aredundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID), hybrid storage device, orthe like. The storage device 160 can include software modules 162, 164,166 for controlling the processor 120. The system 100 can include otherhardware or software modules. The storage device 160 is connected to thesystem bus 110 by a drive interface. The drives and the associatedcomputer-readable storage devices provide nonvolatile storage ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules andother data for the computing device 100. In one aspect, a hardwaremodule that performs a particular function includes the softwarecomponent stored in a tangible computer-readable storage device inconnection with the necessary hardware components, such as the processor120, bus 110, display 170, and so forth, to carry out a particularfunction. In another aspect, the system can use a processor andcomputer-readable storage device to store instructions which, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, amethod or other specific actions. The basic components and appropriatevariations can be modified depending on the type of device, such aswhether the device 100 is a small, handheld computing device, a desktopcomputer, or a computer server. When the processor 120 executesinstructions to perform “operations”, the processor 120 can perform theoperations directly and/or facilitate, direct, or cooperate with anotherdevice or component to perform the operations.

Although the exemplary embodiment(s) described herein employs the harddisk 160, other types of computer-readable storage devices which canstore data that are accessible by a computer, such as magneticcassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks (DVDs),cartridges, random access memories (RAMs) 150, read only memory (ROM)140, a cable containing a bit stream and the like, may also be used inthe exemplary operating environment. Tangible computer-readable storagemedia, computer-readable storage devices, or computer-readable memorydevices, expressly exclude media such as transitory waves, energy,carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

To enable user interaction with the computing device 100, an inputdevice 190 represents any number of input mechanisms, such as amicrophone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphicalinput, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An outputdevice 170 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanismsknown to those of skill in the art. In some instances, multimodalsystems enable a user to provide multiple types of input to communicatewith the computing device 100. The communications interface 180generally governs and manages the user input and system output. There isno restriction on operating on any particular hardware arrangement andtherefore the basic hardware depicted may easily be substituted forimproved hardware or firmware arrangements as they are developed.

For clarity of explanation, the illustrative system embodiment ispresented as including individual functional blocks including functionalblocks labeled as a “processor” or processor 120. The functions theseblocks represent may be provided through the use of either shared ordedicated hardware, including, but not limited to, hardware capable ofexecuting software and hardware, such as a processor 120, that ispurpose-built to operate as an equivalent to software executing on ageneral purpose processor. For example the functions of one or moreprocessors presented in FIG. 1 may be provided by a single sharedprocessor or multiple processors. (Use of the term “processor” shouldnot be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executingsoftware.) Illustrative embodiments may include microprocessor and/ordigital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) 140 forstoring software performing the operations described below, and randomaccess memory (RAM) 150 for storing results. Very large scaleintegration (VLSI) hardware embodiments, as well as custom VLSIcircuitry in combination with a general purpose DSP circuit, may also beprovided.

The logical operations of the various embodiments are implemented as:(1) a sequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or proceduresrunning on a programmable circuit within a general use computer, (2) asequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or proceduresrunning on a specific-use programmable circuit; and/or (3)interconnected machine modules or program engines within theprogrammable circuits. The system 100 shown in FIG. 1 can practice allor part of the recited methods, can be a part of the recited systems,and/or can operate according to instructions in the recited tangiblecomputer-readable storage devices. Such logical operations can beimplemented as modules configured to control the processor 120 toperform particular functions according to the programming of the module.For example, FIG. 1 illustrates three modules Mod1 162, Mod2 164 andMod3 166 which are modules configured to control the processor 120.These modules may be stored on the storage device 160 and loaded intoRAM 150 or memory 130 at runtime or may be stored in othercomputer-readable memory locations.

One or more parts of the example computing device 100, up to andincluding the entire computing device 100, can be virtualized. Forexample, a virtual processor can be a software object that executesaccording to a particular instruction set, even when a physicalprocessor of the same type as the virtual processor is unavailable. Avirtualization layer or a virtual “host” can enable virtualizedcomponents of one or more different computing devices or device types bytranslating virtualized operations to actual operations. Ultimatelyhowever, virtualized hardware of every type is implemented or executedby some underlying physical hardware. Thus, a virtualization computelayer can operate on top of a physical compute layer. The virtualizationcompute layer can include one or more of a virtual machine, an overlaynetwork, a hypervisor, virtual switching, and any other virtualizationapplication.

The processor 120 can include all types of processors disclosed herein,including a virtual processor. However, when referring to a virtualprocessor, the processor 120 includes the software components associatedwith executing the virtual processor in a virtualization layer andunderlying hardware necessary to execute the virtualization layer. Thesystem 100 can include a physical or virtual processor 120 that receiveinstructions stored in a computer-readable storage device, which causethe processor 120 to perform certain operations. When referring to avirtual processor 120, the system also includes the underlying physicalhardware executing the virtual processor 120.

Having disclosed some components of a computing system, the disclosurenow turns to FIG. 2, which illustrates an exemplary architecture forcontrolling electrically-powered compactors both locally and remotelyvia a network. Receptacle 204 can be an electrically-powered receptaclefor collecting waste, such as trash and recyclables, for example. Whilea receptacle 204 is illustrated, other publically available objects,such as light posts, stoplights, or other objects can be similarlycontrolled and powered. As illustrated, receptacle 204 can be, forexample, a solar, wind, geo-thermal, or battery-powered receptacleand/or compactor. Preferably, the receptacle 204 can recharge while inan inactive state. Moreover, receptacle 204 can include a motor 226 forperforming various operations, such as compaction operations. Not shownin the figures is the actual structure for compaction. However, ingeneral, the system in FIG. 2 will include control to utilize power inthe battery 236 to run a motor 226 that performs compaction on the trashwithin a bin inside the receptacle. Further, receptacle 204 can beremotely controlled via remote control device (RCD) 244. The RCD can beanother node in a mesh network or can be a controlling device which isnot a node. To this end, receptacle 204 can include transmitter 206 andreceiver 208 for communicating with RCD 244. In particular, transmitter206 and receiver 208 can communicate with transmitter 240 and receiver242 on RCD 244, and vice versa. Here, transmitters 206 and 240 cantransmit information, and receivers 208 and 242 can receive information,such as control information. This way, receptacle 204 and RCD 244 can beconnected to transmit and receive information, such as instructions,commands, statistics, alerts, notifications, files, software, data, andso forth. Receptacle 204 can also communicate with other devices, suchas a server and/or a collection vehicle, via transmitter 206 andreceiver 208. Similarly, RCD 244 can communicate with other devices,such as a server and/or a user device 246, 252, via transmitter 240 andreceiver 242.

Moreover, receptacle 204 and RCD 244 can communicate with each otherand/or other devices via network 202. The network 202 can include apublic network, such as the Internet, but can also include a private orquasi-private network, such as an intranet, a home network, a virtualprivate network (VPN), a shared collaboration network between separateentities, etc. Indeed, the network 202 can include many types ofnetworks, such as local area networks (LANs), virtual LANs (VLANs),corporate networks, wide area networks, a cell phone transmitter andreceiver, a WiFi network, a Bluetooth network, and virtually any otherform of network.

Transmitter 206 and receiver 208 can be connected to printed circuitboard (PCB) 210, which controls various functions on receptacle 204. Insome embodiments, the RCD 244 can be incorporated within the PCB 210. InFIG. 2, the RCD 244 is electrically connected to the PCB 210 viatransmitters 206, 240 and receivers 208, 242. The RCD 244 can beconnected to transmitter 240 and receiver 242 via a two-waycommunication port, which includes transmitter 240 and receiver 242. ThePCB 210 can control electrical functions performed by the receptacle204. Electrical functions can include, for example, running compactionsby actuating a motor 226; sensing waste or recyclables volume inside thereceptacle 204 using a sensor at regular or programmable intervals, suchas a sonar-based sensor 222A, a proximity sensor, and/or photoeyesensors 222B-C; changing status lamps 230 at regular and/or programmablethresholds to/from a color indicating that the receptacle 204 is notfull (e.g., green), to/from a color indicating that the receptacle 204is almost full (e.g., yellow), to/from a color indicating that thereceptacle 204 is full (e.g., red); etc.

The RCD 244 can enable remote control and/or alteration of the functionsperformed or operated by the PCB 210, including placing the receptacle204 in an active and/or passive state. The RCD 244 can also provideaccess to, and control over, the various components 206, 208, 210, 212,214A-B, 216, 218, 220, 222A-H, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238 ofthe receptacle 204. Users can use a networked device, such as smartphone246 and/or remote device 252, to communicate with the RCD 244 in orderto manage and/or control the receptacle 204. For example, a user cancommunicate with the RCD 244 via the remote device 252 to change athreshold value on the PCB 210, which can control, for example, acollection timing; the compaction motor 226; the use of energy on alighted advertising display, such as display 232; the status lamps 230;the sensors 222A-G; the camera 224; etc. The remote device 252 caninclude virtually any device with networking capabilities, such as alaptop, a portable media player, a tablet computer, a gaming system, asmartphone, a global positioning system (GPS), a smart television, adesktop, etc. In some embodiments, the remote device 252 can also be inother forms, such as a watch, imaging eyeglasses, an earpiece, etc.

The remote device 252 and RCD 204 can be configured to automaticallymodify the PCB's 210 operating parameters. However, users can alsomanually modify the PCB's 210 operating parameters via the remote device252 and RCD 204. The operating parameters can be modified in responseto, for example, evolving industry benchmarks; user inputs; historicaldata, such as the data gathered from a separate database 250A-B;forecasted data, such as upcoming weather characteristics; trafficconditions; a collection schedule; a collection route; a proximity of acollection vehicle; a time and/or date; a location; a capacity, such asa capacity of the receptacle 204 and/or a capacity of a collectionvehicle; a fullness state of the receptacle 204; lapsed time betweencollections; lapsed time between compactions; usage conditions of thereceptacle 204; energy usage; battery conditions; statistics; a policy;regulations; a detected movement of an object, such as an object insideor outside of the receptacle 204; collection trends; industry and/orgeographical standards; zoning policies and characteristics; real-timeinformation; user preferences; and other data. The data from the remotedevice 252 can be relayed to the RCD 244, and the data from the RCD 244can be relayed, via the network 202, to the receptacle 204 and/or theremote device 252 for presentation to the user.

The user can control the RCD 244 and/or access and modify information onthe RCD 244 via a user interface, such as a web page, an application254, a monitor 256, and/or via voice messages and commands, textmessages, etc. The remote device 252 can include a user interface, whichcan display, for example, graphs of collection statistics and trends(e.g., collection frequency, usage, temperature, etc.), collectionreports, device settings, collection schedules, collectionconfigurations, historical data, status information, collectionpolicies, configuration options, device information, collection routesand information, alerts, etc. This way, users can access information tomake educated decisions about how to set and/or reset operatingparameters on the PCB 210; to control, for example, which sensors areused to gather data, which thresholds to set; to control outputs fromthe status lamps 230 and other components; etc. User can change settingson the receptacle 204, such as optimal collection timing, timing ofsensor actuation; and/or modify parameters, such as desired capacity andfullness thresholds; using a scroll down menu, click-and-slide tools,interactive maps displayed on the remote device 252, touch screens,forms, icons, text entries, audio inputs, text inputs, etc. In response,the RCD 244 can automatically reconfigure the PCB 210 settings,recalibrate sensors and displays, change operating parameters, etc.

The RCD 244 can include a two-way communication port that includestransmitter 240 and receiver 242, which can wirelessly communicate withthe PCB 210 of the receptacle 204, via the transmitter 206 and receiver208 on the receptacle 204, which are connected electrically to the PCB210. On scheduled and/or programmable intervals, the PCB's 210transmitter 206 can send data to a central server, such as data server248, via the network 202. The same transmitter 206 and receiver 208 canbe used to communicate with other nodes (whether receptacles, benches,or other public objects) in a mesh network. Moreover, the RCD's 244receiver 242 can be configured to query the data server 248, which canalso be connected to the remote device 252, for incoming data. The dataserver 248 can communicate data from databases 250A-B. If there is nodata to be received by the receiver 208, the PCB 210 can be configuredto promptly return to a low-power mode, where the transmitter 206 andreceiver 208 circuits are turned off, until another scheduled, received,initiated, and/or programmed communication event. Such a low-power modecan be the same as an “inactive” mode, or can be distinct from an“inactive” mode because the sensor/transmitter being used are distinctfrom the transmitter 206 and receiver 208. If there is data to bereceived by the receiver 208, such as a command to turn the receptacle204 off and then back on, a command to change the thresholds upon whichcompactions are operated, a command to change the thresholds forproviding status updates and/or determining fullness states, etc., thenthe RCD receiver 242 can download the new data from the data server 248,via the RCD 244, to the PCB 210, altering its operating configuration.The RCD receiver 242 can also be configured to send data to the dataserver 248 to acknowledge the receipt of data from the PCB 210, and tosend selected data to the remote device 252, the smartphone 246, and/orany other device, for presentation to a user.

The data server 248 can also display the data to a user on remote device252, smartphone 246, or any other device. The data can be apassword-protected web page, a display on the smartphone 246, a displayon the monitor 256, etc. Remote control using the RCD 244 to reconfigureoperating thresholds, sensor use, sensor hierarchy, energy usage, etc.,can enable the receptacle 204 to alter characteristics that control itsenergy generation, energy consumption, and/or the collection andmanagement logistics, further enabling sound operation of the receptacle204.

The RCD 244 can be configured to communicate over a wireless networkwith the PCB 210, and transmit data to the data server 248, so the datacan be stored for viewing and manipulation by a user via anyweb-connected computer, phone, or device. The RCD 244 can also beconfigured to receive data from the data server 248, and transmit thedata back to the PCB 210. The PCB 210 can be electrically connected to avariety of sensors, such as sensors 222A-H, within the receptacle 204.Through the RCD 244, the PCB 210 can also be wirelessly connected to thedatabases 250A-B, and/or other external databases, such as a weatherdatabase, which may, for example, reside on a National Oceanographic andAtmospheric (NOAA) server, a database of trucks and locations andschedules, which may reside on a waste hauler's server, a database oftraffic conditions, etc. A user can also change which of the sensors222A-H are used in setting thresholds, among other things, in responseto, for example, user commands and/or changes in outside data, such asweather data or truck location data.

The PCB 210 can also communicate with a temperature sensor 222G togather temperature information, which can be transmitted to the RCD 244via the PCB transmitter 206. The temperature information can be used,among other things, to fine tune operational functions and energyconsumption of the receptacle 204. For example, the PCB 210 can bereconfigured to run less compaction per day, such as four to eightcompactions, in cold weather, since batteries are less powerful in coldweather. Coinciding with cold weather, the winter days are shorter, thussolar energy and battery power is limited. In order to conserve power onlow-sunlight days, the RCD 244 can adjust the PCB's 210 normal fullnesssensitivity levels, so that collections are prompted to be made earlier.For example, if the PCB 210 typically runs 20 compactions beforechanging status lamps from green to yellow, a signal that suggestsoptimal collection time, the RCD 244 can adjust the thresholds of thePCB 210 to run 10 compactions before changing from a green state to ayellow state, thus changing the total energy consumption of thecompactor between collections. In a busy location, the PCB 210 can beconfigured to sense receptacle fullness every minute, whereas in a lessbusy location, the PCB 210 can be configured to sense fullness once aday.

In some embodiments, the RCD 244 can also alter the timing of eventsusing algorithms based on the results of historical events. For example,the RCD 244 can be initially configured to sense fullness once perminute, but based on resulting readings, it can then alter the timing offuture readings. Thus, if three consecutive readings taken at one-minuteintervals yield a result of no trash accumulation, the RCD 244 canincrease the timing between readings to two minutes, then three minutes,etc., based on the various readings. The RCD 244 can also be configuredto adjust sensing intervals based on the level of fullness of thereceptacle 204, so it would sense more frequently as the receptacle 204fills, in order to reduce the margin of error at a critical time, beforethe receptacle 204 overflows. This “learning feature” can save energy byultimately synchronizing the sensor readings with actual need to sense.The RCD 244 can also alter thresholds of status lamps 230 based oncollection history, the need for capacity as determined by the frequencyof red or yellow lights on the receptacle 204, temperatures, expectedweather and light conditions, expected usage conditions, etc. The statuslamps 230 can be LED lights, for example.

In FIG. 2, the RCD 244 can be enabled, via the PCB 210, to read, forexample, a temperature sensor 222G; an encoder sensor 222D, which canmeasure movement of a compaction ram by utilizing an “encoder wheel”which is mounted on a motor shaft; one or more photoeye sensors 222B-C;door sensors; a sensor which measures current from the solar panel and asensor which can measure current from the battery 236 to the motor 226;a hall effect sensor 222F, which can detect movement of, for example, adoor; an infrared (IR) sensor 222E, a camera 224, etc. In addition, thethresholds set by the RCD 244 can be based on historical and real-timeinformation, user preferences, industry norms, weather patterns andforecasts, and other information. The RCD 244 can reset the PCB's 210normal thresholds hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or atadjustable intervals, based on a variety of information and userdecisions.

The RCD 244 can also alter the PCB's 210 normal hierarchy of sensorusage. For example, if the PCB 210 is configured to run a compactioncycle when one or more of the photoeyes 222B-C located inside thereceptacle 204 are blocked, the RCD 244 can reconfigure the sensorhierarchy by reconfiguring the PCB 210 to run compaction cycles after acertain amount of time has passed, by reading the position of theencoder sensor 222D at the end of a cycle, by reading one or morephotoeye sensors 222B-C, by calculating a sensor hierarchy based onhistorical filling rates, by a change in user preferences, etc. Using anaggregate of data from other receptacles located worldwide in a varietyof settings, the RCD's 244 configurations can depend on constantlyevolving parameters for optimizing energy utilization, capacityoptimization, and operational behavior, among other things. The RCD 244innovation and growing database of benchmarks, best practices andsolutions to inefficiency, enables the receptacle 204 to adapt andevolve.

Based on the data from the PCB 210, the sensors, inputs by the users(e.g., the customer or the manufacturer) via the RCD 244, and/or basedon other data, such as historical or weather data, the RCD 244 canchange the PCB 210 thresholds, operational parameters, and/orconfiguration, to improve the performance of the receptacle 204 indifferent geographies or seasons, or based on different usercharacteristics or changing parameters. Thus, the system andarchitecture can be self-healing.

The RCD 244 can also be configured to change the PCB's 210 normaloperating parameters. For example, the RCD 244 can be configured tocause the PCB 210 to run multiple compaction cycles in a row, to runenergy through a resistor 220 to apply a strong load upon the battery236, which can supply the energy. The RCD 244 can measure batteryvoltage at predetermined or programmable intervals, to measure the“rebound” of the battery 236. A strong battery will gain voltage quickly(e.g., the battery will almost fully recover within 15 minutes or so). Aweak battery will drop significantly in voltage (e.g., 3-5 volts), willrecover slowly, or will not recover to a substantial portion of itsoriginal voltage. By changing the normal parameters of the PCB 210, thebattery 236 can be subjected to a heavy load during a test period, whichwill determine the battery's strength without jeopardizing operations.The RCD 244 can then be configured to relay a message to the user that abattery is needed, or to use the battery differently, for example, byspacing out compactions in time, reducing the degree of voltage declinewithin a certain time period, etc. Based on the message and anyadditional information from the RCD 244, the user can then order a newbattery by simply clicking on a button on a web page, for example. TheRCD 244 can also alter the PCB 210 to do more compactions or otherenergy-using functions (like downloading software) during the daytime,when solar energy is available to replenish the battery 236 as it usesenergy.

Since the RCD 244 can be connected to databases, and can be informed bythe PCB 210 on each receptacle of conditions or status information atthe respective receptacle, the RCD 244 can also be used to relay datacollected from the databases or PCB 210 for other types of servicingevents. In other words, the RCD 244 can obtain, collect, maintain, oranalyze status, operating, or conditions information received from thePCB 210 of one or more receptacles and/or one or more databases storingsuch information, and relay such data to a separate or remote device,such as a remote server or control center. For example, the RCD 244 canbe configured to relay a message to a waste hauler to collect thereceptacle 204 if two or more parameters are met simultaneously. Toillustrate, the RCD 244 can relay a message to a waste hauler to collectthe receptacle 204 if the receptacle 204 is over 70% full and acollection truck is within 1 mile of the receptacle 204. The RCD 244 canthen send a message to the remote device 252 to alert a user that acollection had been made, and the cost of the collection will be billedto the user's account.

In addition, the RCD 244 can change the circuitry between the solarpanel 234 and the battery 236, so that solar strength can be measuredand an optimal charging configuration can be selected. The chargingcircuitry 214A-B is illustrated as two circuitries; however, one ofordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that some embodimentscan include more or less circuitries. Charging circuits 214A-B can bedesigned to be optimized for low light or bright light, and can beswitched by the RCD 244 based on programmable or pre-determinedthresholds. Also, while solar information can be readily available(e.g., Farmers' Almanac), solar energy at a particular location can varywidely based on the characteristics of the site. For example, light willbe weaker if reflected off a black building, and if the building istall, blocking refracted light. For this reason, it can be useful tomeasure solar energy on site, as it can be an accurate determinant ofactual energy availability at a particular location. To do this, thebattery 236 and solar panel 234 can be decoupled using one or morecharging relays 212. In other aspects, a very high load can be placed onthe battery 236 to diminish its voltage, so that all available currentfrom the solar panel 234 flows through a measureable point. This can bedone, for example, by causing the receptacle 204 to run compactioncycles, or by routing electricity through a resistor, or both.

There are a variety of other methods which can be used to create a load.However, putting a load on the battery 236 can cause permanent damage.Thus, the RCD 244 can also be configured to disconnect the battery 236from the solar panel 234, instead routing electricity through a resistor220. This can allow for an accurate measurement of solar intensity at aparticular location, without depleting the battery 236, which can helpassess the potential for running compactions, communicating, poweringilluminated advertisements, and powering other operations. In someembodiments, the PCB 210 can be reconfigured by the RCD 244 to runcontinuous compaction cycles for a period of time, measure solar panelcharging current, relay the data, and then resume normal operations.Different configurations or combinations of circuits can be used to testsolar intensity, battery state or lifecycle, and/or predict solar orbattery conditions in the future.

The RCD 244 can also track voltage or light conditions for a period ofdays, and alter the state of load and charging based on constantlychanging input data. For example, the RCD 244 can configure the timer218 of the PCB 210 to turn on the display 232 for advertising for anumber of days in a row, starting at a specific time and ending atanother specific time. However, if the battery voltage declines overthis period of time, the RCD 244 can then reduce the time of the load(the display 232) to every other day, and/or may shorten the time periodof the load each day. Further, the RCD 244 can collect information onusage and weather patterns and reconfigure the PCB's 210 normaloperating regimen to increase or reduce the load (for example, theadvertisement on the display 232) placed on the battery 236, based onthe information collected. For example, if it is a Saturday, andexpected to be a busy shopping day, the RCD 244 can allow a decliningstate of the battery 236, and can schedule a period on the near futurewhere a smaller load will be placed on the battery 236, by, for example,not running the advertisement on the coming Monday. In doing so, the RCD244 can optimize the advertising value and energy availability to useenergy when it is most valuable, and recharge (use less energy) when itis less valuable. In order to maximize solar energy gained from avariety of locations, the RCD 244 can cause the PCB 210 to selectbetween one of several charging circuits. For example, if it isanticipated that cloudy conditions are imminent, the RCD 244 can changethe circuit that is used for battery charging, in order to make thecharger more sensitive to lower light conditions. In a sunnyenvironment, the charger circuit used can be one with poor low-lightsensitivity, which would yield more wattage in direct sunlight.

The architecture 200 can also be used for monitoring functions, whichcan enable users to access information about the receptacle 204 andcollection process. With this information, users can make judgments thatfacilitate their decision-making, helping them remotely adjust settingson the receptacle 204 to improve performance and communication. Forexample, the RCD 244 can be configured to enable users to easily adjustcallback time, which is the normal time interval for communication thatis configured in the PCB 210. The RCD 244 can enable the user to alterthis time setting, so that the receptacle 204 communicates at shorter orlonger intervals. Once the PCB 210 initiates communication, otherparameters can be reconfigured, such as awake time, which is the amountof time the receiver is in receiving mode. This enables users to make“on the fly” changes. In some cases, the PCB 210 can shut down aftersending a message and listening for messages to be received. In thesecases, it can be difficult to send instructions, wait for a response,send more instructions and wait for response, because the time lapsebetween normal communications can be a full day. However, by remotelyadjusting the setting through the RCD 244, the user can make continuousadjustments while testing out the downloaded parameters in real time,and/or close to real time. This can enhance the ability of the user toremotely control the receptacle 204.

Further, the RCD 244 can alter the current of the photoeyes 222B-C, in atest to determine whether there is dirt or grime covering the lens.Here, the RCD 244 can reconfigure the normal operating current of thephotoeyes 222B-C. If the lens is dirty, the signal emitter photoeye willsend and the signal receiver will receive a signal on high power, butnot on low power. In this way, a service call can be avoided or delayedby changing the normal operating current to the photoeyes 222B-C. Thiscan be a useful diagnostic tool.

In some embodiments, regular maintenance intervals can be scheduled, butcan also be altered via information from the RCD 244. The RCD 244 can beconfigured to run a cycle while testing motor current. If motor currentdeviates from a normal range (i.e., 2 amps or so), then a maintenancetechnician can be scheduled earlier than normal. The RCD 244 can send amessage to the user by posting an alert on the users web page associatedwith the receptacle 204.

Other settings can be embodied in the receptacle 204 as well. Forexample, the PCB 210 can sense that the receptacle 204 is full. The RCD244 can then configure the PCB 210 to have a web page, or anotherdisplay, present a full signal. The RCD 244 can alter when the fullsignal should be presented to the user. For example, after accessing adatabase with historical collection intervals, the RCD 244 canreconfigure the PCB 210 to wait for a period of time, e.g., one hour,before displaying a full signal at the web page. This can be helpfulbecause, in some cases, a “false positive” full signal can be signaledby the PCB 210, but this can be avoided based on historical informationthat indicates that a collection only a few minutes after the lastcollection would be highly aberrational. The RCD 244 can thus beconfigured to override data from the PCB 210. Instead of sending a fullsignal to the user, the RCD 244 reconfigures the PCB 210 to ignore thefull signal temporarily, and delay the display of a full-signal on theusers' web page or smart phone, in order for time to go by andadditional information to be gathered about the receptacle's actualfullness status. For example, when a collection is made and ten minuteslater, the fullness sensor detects the receptacle 204 is full, thefullness display message on the web page can be prevented fromdisplaying a full status. In some cases, the bag can be full of air,causing the proximity sensor in the receptacle 204 to detect a full bin.Within a certain time period, e.g., twenty minutes in a busy location, afew hours in a less busy location, as determined based on the historicalwaste generation rate at the site, the bag can lose its air, and theproximity sensor can sense that the bin is less full than it was twentyminutes prior, which would not be the case if the bin was full withtrash instead of air. Thus, “false positive” information can be filteredout.

Likewise, tests and checks can be performed so that false negativeinformation is avoided as well. For example, if a bin regularly fills updaily, and there is no message that it is full after two or three days,an alert can appear on the users' web page indicating an aberration.Thresholds for normal operating parameters and adjustments to normal canbe set or reset using the RCD 244, or they can be programmed to evolvethrough pattern recognition. Although many operating parameteradjustments can be made through the web portal, adjustments can also bemade automatically. This can be controlled by a software program thataggregates data and uses patterns in an aggregate of enclosures to alterPCB 210 settings on a single enclosure. For example, if the collectiondata from 1,000 enclosures indicates that collection personnel collectfrom bins too early 50% of the time when compaction threshold setting isset to “high”, compared to 10% of the time when compaction settings areset at “medium,” then the RCD 244 can reprogram the compactionthresholds to the medium setting automatically, so that collectionpersonnel can be managed better, limiting the amount of enclosures thatare collected prematurely. Automatic reprogramming, governed by softwareprograms, can be applied to other aspects, such as user response todynamic elements of the receptacle 204, such as lighted or interactiveadvertising media displayed on the receptacle 204. For example, if usersrespond to an LCD-displayed advertisement shown on the receptacle 204for “discounted local coffee” 80% of the time, the RCD 244 can configureall receptacles within a certain distance, from participating coffeeshops, to display the message: “discounted local coffee.”

In some embodiments, the RCD 244 can include a data receiving portal forthe user with information displays about an aggregate of receptacles.Here, the user can access real-time and historical information of, forexample, receptacles on a route, and/or receptacles in a givengeography. The data can be displayed for the user on apassword-protected web page associated with the aggregate of receptacleswithin a user group. The receptacle 204 can also display, for example,bin fullness, collections made, the time of collections, batteryvoltage, motor current, number and time of compaction cycles run, graphsand charts, lists and maps, etc. This data can be viewed in differentsegments of time and geography in order to assess receptacle and/orfleet status, usage, and/or trends. The users' web page can show, forexample, a pie chart showing percentage of bins collected when their LEDwas blinking yellow, red and green, or a histogram showing thesepercentages as a function of time. These statistics can be categorizedusing pull down menus and single-click features. A single click mapfeature, for example, is where summary data for a particular receptacleis displayed after the user clicks on a dot displayed on a map whichrepresents that receptacle. This can allow the user to easily view andinteract with a visual map in an external application.

The RCD 244 can be configured to display calculated data, such as“collection efficiency,” which is a comparison of collections made tocollections required, as measured by the utilized capacity of thereceptacle 204 divided by the total capacity of the receptacle 204(Collection Efficiency=utilized capacity/total capacity). The user canuse this information to increase or decrease collections, increase ordecrease the aggregate capacity across an area, etc. Typically, theusers' goal is to collect the receptacle 204 when it is full—not beforeor after. The user can click buttons on their web page to showhistorical trends, such as collection efficiency over time, vehiclecosts, a comparison of vehicle usage in one time period versus vehicleusage in another time period, diversion rates, a comparison of materialquantity deposited in a recycling bin versus the quantity of materialdeposited into a trash bin. Other statistics can be automaticallygenerated and can include carbon dioxide emissions from trucks, whichcan be highly correlated to vehicle usage. Labor hours can also behighly correlated with vehicle usage, so the web page can display alabor cost statistic automatically using information generated from thevehicle usage monitor. As the user clicks on buttons or otherwise makescommands in their web portal, the RCD 244 can change the PCB's 210operating parameters, usage of sensors, etc., and/or measurementthresholds in response. The RCD 244 can also be configured toautomatically display suggested alterations to the fleet, such assuggestions to move receptacles to a new position, to increase ordecrease the quantity of receptacles in a given area, to recommend a newsize receptacle based on its programmed thresholds, resulting in animprovement in costs to service the fleet of receptacles.

Heat mapping can also be used to provide a graphical representation ofdata for a user. Heat mapping can show the user the level of capacity ineach part of an area, for example a city block, or it can be used toshow collection frequency in an area. In each case, the heat map can begenerated by associating different colors with different values of datain a cross sectional, comparative data set, including data from aplurality of enclosures. The heat map can be a graphical representationof comparative data sets. In some embodiments, red can be associatedwith a high number of a given characteristic, and “cooler” colors, likeorange, yellow and blue, can be used to depict areas with less of agiven characteristic. For example, a heat map showing collectionfrequency or compaction frequency across 500 receptacles can be usefulto determine areas where capacity is lacking in the aggregate ofenclosures—a relative measure of capacity. In this case, the highestfrequency receptacle can assigned a value of red. Each number can beassigned progressively cooler colors. In other embodiments, the redvalue can be associated with a deviation from the average or median, forexample, a darker red for each standard deviation. The heat maps can beshown as a visual aid on the user's web page, and can color-code regionswhere “bottlenecks” restrict vehicle and labor efficiency. A small redregion can show graphically, for example, that if the user were toreplace only ten receptacles with higher-capacity compactors, thecollection frequency to a larger area could be reduced, saving traveltime. Heat maps can be a helpful visual tool for showing data including,but not limited to, data showing “most collections” in a given timeperiod, “most green collections,” which can visually demonstrate thenumber of bins collected too early (before they are actually full),“most compactions,” which can show on a more granular level the usagelevel of the bin, “most uses,” which can represent how many times theinsertion door of the bin is opened or utilized, “most alerts,” whichcan show visually the number of “door open alerts,” which can show whendoors were not closed properly, “voltage alerts,” which can showvisually which receptacles are of low power, etc. While specificmeasurements are described herein to demonstrate the usefulness of heatmapping, there are other sets of data that can be represented by theheat maps, which are within the scope and spirit of this invention.

The heat map can also be used to present a population density in one ormore areas, as well as a representation of any other activity orcharacteristic of the area, such as current traffic or congestion, forexample. This information can also be shared with other businesses ordevices. For example, the RCD 244 can analyze the heat map and sharepopulation statistics or activity with nearby businesses ormunicipalities. The RCD 244 can, for example, determine a highpopulation density in Area A on Saturday mornings and transmit thatinformation to a nearby locale to help the nearby locale prepare for theadditional activity. As another example, if the receptacle is placed ina park, the RCD 244 can determine population and activity levels atspecific times and alert park officials of the expected high levels ofactivity so the park officials and/or those managing the receptacle canplan accordingly.

The RCD 244 can also be used for dynamic vehicle routing and compactionand/or receptacle management. Because the RCD 244 can be a two-waycommunicator, it can both send and receive information between variousreceptacles and databases, using a mesh network. This can allow the userto cross-correlate data between the fleet of receptacles and the fleetof collection vehicles. The RCD 244 can receive data from the userand/or the user's vehicle. For example, the RCD 244 can receive GPS dataor availability data, and use it to change parameters on a givenreceptacle or aggregate of receptacles. The RCD 244 can receive thisdata from the users' GPS-enabled smartphone, for example. Similarly, theRCD 244 can send data to the user, a user device, a smartphone, etc.,about the status of the receptacle 204. With this two-way data stream,collection optimization can be calculated in real time or close to realtime. For example, a collection truck is traveling to the east side of acity and has 30 minutes of spare time. The RCD 244 can receiveinformation about the truck's whereabouts, availability and direction,and query a database for receptacle real time and historical fullnessinformation and determine that the truck can accommodate collections oftwenty receptacle locations. The RCD 244 can then display a list oftwenty receptacle locations that the truck can accommodate. The user canview a map of the twenty recommended locations, see a list of drivingdirections, etc. The map of driving directions can be optimized byadding other input data, such as traffic lights, traffic conditions,average speed along each route, etc. At the same time, as the truckheads to the east side of the city, the RCD 244 can reconfigurereceptacles on the west side to change compaction thresholds, so thatcapacity is temporarily increased, freeing up additional time for thetruck to spend in the east section. Alternatively, the RCD 244 canreconfigure a receptacle to temporarily display a “full” message topedestrians, helping them find a nearby receptacle with capacityremaining. The RCD 244 can, in the case where the receptacle requirespayment, increase pricing to the almost-full receptacle, reducing demandby pedestrians or other users. This same logic can be effective insituations where trucks are not used, for example, indoors at a mall orairport. The demand for waste capacity can vary, so having remotecontrol over the receptacle 204 can allow users to change settings,parameters, and/or prices to make the collection of waste dynamic andefficient.

The location of the receptacle 204 and other receptacles can bedetermined via triangulation and/or GPS, for example, and placed on amap in the interactive mapping features. Moreover, the location of anindoor receptacle can be obtained from indoor WiFi hot spots, and theindoor receptacle can be placed on a map in the interactive mappingfeatures. As a staff member accomplishes tasks (i.e., cleaning abathroom) and moves inside a facility, the staff member's location canbe tracked, and the fullness and location of nearby receptacles can beplotted on a map or given to the staff member by other means, asinstructions to add a collection activity to the list of tasks. Whetherby GPS, Wifi, Bluetooth, etc., triangulation between communication nodescan serve to locate a receptacle on a map, and measurements of fullnessof receptacles can be used to create work instructions for staff membersor truck drivers, so that efficient routes and schedules can be createdto save time.

To better manage the collection process, user groups can be separatedbetween trash and recycling personnel. In many cities, there areseparate trucks used to collect separate streams of waste, such as trashand recyclables. For this reason, it can be helpful to configure theuser's web page to display data based on a waste stream. The data canalso be divided in this fashion and displayed differently on asmartphone, hand-held computer, and/or other user device. In addition,data can be displayed differently to different users. For example, themanager of an operation can have “administrative privileges,” and thuscan change the location of a particular receptacle in the system, viewcollection efficiency of a particular waste collector, view loginhistory, and/or view industry or subgroup benchmarks, while a wastecollector with lower privileges can only view receptacle fullness, forexample. The RCD 244 or another device can also be configured to print alist of receptacles to collect next, a list of full or partially fullbins, etc. For example, the remote device 252 can be configured to printa list of receptacles to collect in the remaining portion of a route.

The disclosure now turns to FIG. 3, which illustrates an exemplarystorage receptacle 300. The storage receptacle 300 can be configured todynamically adjusting sensors and compaction operations, as furtherdescribed below.

The storage receptacle 300 includes a bin 302 for storing content items,and a door 306 for opening the storage receptacle 300 to throw ordeposit items in the bin 302. In addition, each of the sensor modulescan include an emitter and receiver. Moreover, the storage receptacle300 can include compactor software or firmware configured to runself-diagnostics on each of the sensor modules and the normal paths, toensure the storage receptacle 300 is running properly and to report anyerrors to the management console.

In some configurations, the storage receptacle 300 can also include asonar sensor 308 to detect objects in the receptacle 300 and calculatethe fullness state of the receptacle 300. The signal transmitted andsensed in order to determine trash levels can be any frequency (IR,visual range, etc.) and at any pulse rate. Further, any number andcombination of sensors, transmitters, and receivers could be applied invarious places within the receptacle 300. The storage receptacle 300 canalso include other types of sensors 304, such as an infrared sensor, atemperature sensor, a hall effect sensor, an encoder sensor, a motionsensor, a proximity sensor, etc. The sonar sensor 308 and sensors 304can sense fullness at regular intervals, and/or based on manual inputsand/or a pre-programmed schedule, for example. Moreover, the sonarsensor 308 and sensors 304 are electrically connected to the printedcircuit board (PCB) 316. Further, the sonar sensor 308 and sensor 304can be actuated by the PCB 316, which can be configured to control thevarious operations of the storage receptacle 300.

The PCB 316 can control electrical functions performed by the storagereceptacle 300. The electrical functions controlled by the PCB 316 caninclude, for example, running compactions by actuating a motor; sensingwaste or recyclables volume inside the receptacle 300 using a sensor atregular or programmable intervals, such as sensors 304; changing statuslamps 318 at regular and/or programmable thresholds to/from a colorindicating that the receptacle 300 is not full (e.g., green), to/from acolor indicating that the receptacle 300 is almost full (e.g., yellow),to/from a color indicating that the receptacle 300 is full (e.g., red);collecting data and transmitting the data to another device; receivingdata from another device; managing a power mode; measuring and managinga current; performing diagnostics tests; managing a power source; etc.The motor controller 310 can enable voltage to be applied across a loadin either direction. The PCB 316 can use the motor controller 310 toenable a DC motor in the receptacle 300 to run forwards and backwards,to speed or slow, to “brake” the motor, etc.

The storage receptacle 300 includes a transmitter 312 and a receiver 314for sending and receiving data to and from other devices, such as aserver or a remote control device. Accordingly, the storage receptacle300 can transmit and receive information such as instructions, commands,statistics, alerts, notifications, files, software, data, and so forth.The transmitter 312 and receiver 314 can be electrically connected tothe PCB 316. This way, the transmitter 312 can transmit data from thePCB 316 to other devices, and the receiver 314 can receive data fromother devices and pass the data for use by the PCB 316. In this regard,a user who is checking the status of the receptacle could drive down thestreet near the device (say within a wireless range, such as Bluetoothor WIFI, for example), not even get out of their vehicle, but receive asignal indicating that all is well, that the trash needs to be emptied,or that a repair or cleaning is needed.

Status lamps 318 can provide an indication of the status of the storagereceptacle 300. For example, the status lamps 318 can indicate thefullness state of the storage receptacle 300. To this end, the statuslamps 318 can be configured to display a respective color or patternwhen the storage receptacle 300 is full, almost full, not full, etc. Forexample, the status lamps 318 can be configured to flash red when thestorage receptacle 300 is full, yellow when the storage receptacle 300is almost full, and green when the storage receptacle 300 is not full.Moreover, the status lamps 318 can be LED lights, for example.

The status lamps 318 can also be configured to flash in various patternsto indicate various other conditions. For example, the status lamps 318can be configured to flash at the same time and in combination to showthat the receptacle 300 is full. The status lamps 318 can also beconfigured to flash in different patterns or times or colors to showtroubleshooting status information for example. In some cases, thestatus lamps 318 can be configured to flash in a predetermined manner toshow that a door of the receptacle is open, a component is damaged, anobstacle is stuck, an operation is currently active, etc.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize, thereceptacle 300 can include other components, such as motors, sensors,batteries, solar panels, displays, relays, chargers, GPS devices,timers, fuses, resistors, remote control devices, cameras, etc. However,for the sake of clarity, the receptacle 300 is illustrated without someof these components.

In some configurations, the storage receptacle 300 can be configured toimplement dirt sensing technology. The dirt sensing technology can usefirmware or other software instructions to monitor the signals, such asinfra-red signals, through the sensors on the receptacle 300, and usethis data to determine how dirty the detection sensors have become. Forexample, in some cases, a “clean” sensor 304D can take around 6 38 khzpulses transmitted from a transmitter 304C before the signal isdetected. As the sensor becomes more and more, dirty it typically takeslonger to detect the signal, and may even take 20 38 khz pulses, forexample. This data can be used to provide a scale of how dirty thesensor has become and provide feedback to the user before the sensorbecomes completely blocked. Once the sensor is blocked, the capacity ofthe compactor can be reduced since compactions may no longer performed.As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize, thefrequencies and number of pulses discussed herein are provided fornon-limiting illustration purposes. In fact, the frequencies used andnumber of pulses associated with specific dirt levels can vary based ona number of factors, such as hardware and preference settings. Moreover,other applications, frequencies and number of pulses are contemplatedherein.

Furthermore, since the voltage of a battery does not generally indicatethe actual capacity in a battery, it can be beneficial to understandwhat capacity is available to ensure accurate machine operation and deadbattery notification. To this end, the machine firmware can analyzevoltage drops that occur after a compaction occurs at what current, andcan determine a ratio which can provide feedback and indications of thetrue battery capacity. The machine firmware can also analyze how fastvoltage is dropping based on current wireless usage and predict when analternative node in the mesh network, and particularly the paired node,should be switched to. For example, if the machine firmware detects thatthe system will have sufficient capacity for 3 hours of work in 20minutes, the system can configure a switch between nodes to take placein 20 minutes. If the system calculates the other node, in an activestate, will reach a critical power level in 15 minutes, the system cancause a transfer to an active state take place sooner than mightotherwise have occurred so that coverage continues. The firmware can usea ratio to limit compactions, sensor activity, wireless/cellularactivity, and/or notify the management console of the battery state. Aspreviously mentioned, the management console can be a console on theactual storage receptacle 300 and/or a remote device, such as a server,for example.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary city grid having multiple potentialnodes. In this example 400, an intersection is illustrated havingbenches 402, 404 on opposite sides of a road. Each bench in this examplecan be configured to have the disclosed systems embedded into theirrespective designs. Thus, in one possible embodiment, the two benches402, 404 could be paired together as co-located nodes in a network, suchas a mesh network. Other nodes in the network can be benches as well, orcan be other objects such as a lightpost 406, a storage receptacle (asdescribed above) 408, a streetlight 410, a guardrail, signs, or anyother object capable of holding or storing a component for transmittingor receiving signals.

Each of the nodes in the network can have distinct ranges for sensorsand/or wireless/cellular communications equipment. Alternatively, theranges for the nodes can be identical to one another, but shiftedbecause the nodes, while co-located within a small physical area, arenot actually using a single antenna or sensor. In both circumstances,the ranges for the sensors/transmitters/receivers can vary, whichinformation can be retained in a database, at a central server, or aremote system.

Each node in the network can be collecting data (via sensors) and/ortransmitting and receiving signals (e.g., Wi-Fi/cellular/radio signals).In one configuration, the light pole 406 and the receptacle 408 arepaired together, performing pollution testing, while the benches 402,404 are paired together broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal. Each pair of nodeshas one active node performing the task while the other node ispassively storing energy in a battery via solar or other means. Thestoplight 410 can act as a backup for any node should there be a failureor other cause for a node not to activate properly. In such aconfiguration, all five potential nodes could have sensors and equipmentnecessary to perform any task, but assigned as previously provided.Alternatively, nodes can be specifically configured for a task and onlyhave the sensors and equipment necessary for that task. Replacementnodes, or nodes in the network capable of replacing any other node,could represent a distinct type of node as compared to the task specificnodes.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a city grid having a network with variousnodes enabled. In the illustrated city grid, nodes are illustrated onthe corners of city blocks, with paired nodes being located directlyacross the street from one another. Thus in this configuration, each “A”node 502 can be found directly across the street from a “B” node 504. Asillustrated in FIG. 5A, the “A” nodes 502 are turned on, with the shadedregions 506 indicating the coverage area. This coverage area cancorrespond to a sensor range, a Wi-Fi range, a cellular range, a radiorange, or any other ranged area.

As each active node uses energy, the nodes often cannot produce (viasolar, wind, or other energy resources) enough energy to keep up withdemand, and use stored battery power to augment power generationcapabilities. Once the stored energy in either the inactive node or theactive node reaches a defined threshold, the active and inactive nodesswitch, with the inactive going active and the active node goinginactive, in order to maintain continuity of service. This switch allowsthe inactive node to store energy for when placed in an activeconfiguration. Additional power considerations can be calculated by aserver, remote management system (e.g., remote device 252), or othercontrol node, which can look at long-term power trends and activity, andmake determinations for upgrading, changing, or modifying either nodes,node locations, node pairings, node configurations, or power usageschedules.

FIG. 5B illustrates when the “B” nodes 504 have become active, resultingin ranges 508 which are distinct from the ranges 506 present when the“A” nodes 502 are active. It is noted that while all the “A” nodes 502are simultaneously active in FIG. 5A, and all the “B” nodes 504 aresimultaneously active in FIG. 5B, this is for illustration purposesonly. Actual activity of nodes in the mesh network can be a mix of nodesbecause determinations are made based on power at the respective nodes,usage, signal ranges, trends, anticipated usage, status of other nodesin the mesh network, etc. It is further noted that the rangesillustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B are not identical because the nodes whichare active/inactive in each illustration are distinct, and thus thecoverage area is illustrated as having shifted for each pair.

The placement of nodes can be determined so that continuous coverage canbe provided regardless of usage, battery levels, trends, schedules, etc.In other words, overlap between the nodes is expected to occur to fostercontinuous coverage. However, in configurations where power has a higherpriority than coverage, coverage might not overlap completely and mayhave holes or gaps of coverage based on the particular needs at thecircumstances.

Similarly, various configurations might not have continuous coveragebased on time. That is, rather than always having an active node and aninactive node in a pair of nodes, the needs of the system could be thatwhile one node is the “active” node, measurements are only taken once aday or once an hour. In such a situation, because of the energy usewhich occurs the nodes still switch between active/inactive states,however there are no constant measurements being taken. Likewise, in aWi-Fi situation, while the active node can be actively receivingsignals, the node may not be actively broadcasting data.

Having disclosed some basic system components and concepts, thedisclosure now turns to the exemplary method embodiment shown in FIG. 6.For the sake of clarity, the method is described in terms of anexemplary system 100 as shown in FIG. 1 configured to practice themethod. The steps outlined herein are exemplary and can be implementedin any combination thereof, including combinations that exclude, add, ormodify certain steps.

The system 100 in one embodiment is a node in a pair of nodes. The nodesare co-located, and are embedded in objects which are generallypublically available. For example, each node could be a bench, a storagereceptacle, a stoplight, a telephone pole, a post, a light, and/or aguardrail. When a first node in a pair of co-located nodes is active anda second node in the pair of co-located nodes is inactive (602), thesystem 100 performs various steps based on configuration and embodimentdesired. The co-located nodes can be part of a mesh network, where nodescan communicate with one another. The nodes are classified as“co-located” based on their respective locations being within athreshold distance of one another. The threshold distance can be basedon specific distances, such as a city block, or can be based on coverageareas of the first node, the second node, and other nodes in the meshnetwork. An “active” status can indicate the node can identifynon-control data via a sensor. Exemplary sensors include pollutionsensors, light sensors, weather sensors, movement sensors, or any othertype of sensor. An “active” status can also indicate that the node istransmitting and/or receiving wireless data, such as a Wi-Fi signal, acellular signal, a radio signal, or other electromagnetic signal.

Exemplary steps the system 100 can take include, acting in the role ofthe second node in the pair of co-located nodes, receiving a firstenergy level corresponding to energy in the first node and a currentstatus of the first node (604). This information can inform the system100 how long the first node has until reaching a critical level or untilthe first node can no longer operate. The system 100 can also receiveadditional information from other nodes in the mesh network, such ascoverage information of those other nodes. The system 100 can alsoidentify a second energy level in the second node. That is, the system100 can identify its own power level (606), as well as how fast it ischarging, how fast it discharges when active, how fast the other node isdischarging, needs of other nodes in the mesh network, etc.

Based on the second energy level (i.e., the system 100 power level), thefirst energy level (the energy of the active node), and the currentstatus, the system 100 can determine that active status of the firstnode should be switched between the first node and the second node(608). Based on this determination, the system 100 activates the secondnode and deactivates the first node (610). Such activation/deactivationcan occur based on a control signal which is generated by the secondnode, or can be initiated by a master node or server. The first nodewill then be able to begin storing energy reserves, using solar power orother means, while the now active second node will begin depleting thesecond node reserves.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may also includetangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable storage devices forcarrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structuresstored thereon. Such tangible computer-readable storage devices can beany available device that can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer, including the functional design of any specialpurpose processor as described above. By way of example, and notlimitation, such tangible computer-readable devices can include RAM,ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storageor other magnetic storage devices, or any other device which can be usedto carry or store desired program code in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions, data structures, or processor chipdesign. When information or instructions are provided via a network oranother communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, orcombination thereof) to a computer, the computer properly views theconnection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of the computer-readablestorage devices.

Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function orgroup of functions. Computer-executable instructions also includeprogram modules that are executed by computers in stand-alone or networkenvironments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,components, data structures, objects, and the functions inherent in thedesign of special-purpose processors, etc. that perform particular tasksor implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executableinstructions, associated data structures, and program modules representexamples of the program code means for executing steps of the methodsdisclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executableinstructions or associated data structures represents examples ofcorresponding acts for implementing the functions described in suchsteps.

Other embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in networkcomputing environments with many types of computer systemconfigurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices,multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and thelike. Embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by local and remote processingdevices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, orby a combination thereof) through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote memory storage devices.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. Various modifications and changes may be made to theprinciples described herein without following the example embodimentsand applications illustrated and described herein, and without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Claim language reciting “atleast one of” a set indicates that one member of the set or multiplemembers of the set satisfy the claim.

1. A method comprising: establishing a first node co-located near asecond node and as a pair of nodes such that can each of the first nodeand the second node can service a same geographic location; when thefirst node has a first energy level that is higher than a second energylevel of the second node, setting the second node to a second nodeinactive status such that the second node is not providing a wirelesscommunication service to the geographic location; determining, based onthe first energy level and the second energy level, that the first nodeshould change from a first node active status to a first node inactivestatus, to yield a determination; and based on the determination,changing the first node from the first node active status to the firstnode inactive status such that the first node is not providing thewireless communication service to the geographic location and changingthe second node from the second node inactive status to a second nodeactive status such that the second node, rather than the first node,serves the geographic location with the wireless communication service.2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the second node is in an inactivestatus, the method comprises: collecting and storing energy for lateruse via the second node.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein when thefirst node is in an inactive status, the method comprises: collectingand storing energy for later use via the first node.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first node and the second node each comprises oneof a receptacle a light post, a stoplight, a post, a guardrail, a sign,and a bench.
 5. The method of claim 1, where the first node comprises asolar powered node and wherein the first energy level comprises a firstnode energy level.
 6. The method of claim 1, where in the pair of nodesare paired such that they communicate with each other and coordinatewhich node of the pair of nodes will provide the wireless communicationservice to the geographic location.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first active status comprises providing the wireless communicationservice for mobile devices to access the Internet.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, where the pair of nodes is paired at least in part based on thefirst node in the second node being located within a threshold distanceof one another.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the pair of nodes ispart of a mesh network of nodes.
 10. A system comprising: a firstwireless access node; and a second wireless access node paired with thefirst wireless access node to yield a pair of nodes, wherein the firstwireless access node is co-located near the second wireless access nodesuch that can each of the first wireless access node and the secondwireless access node can service a same geographic location, whereinwhen the first wireless access node has a first energy level that ishigher than a second energy level of the second wireless access node, acontrol system in the second wireless access node sets the secondwireless access node to a second node inactive status such that thesecond wireless access node is not providing a wireless communicationservice to the geographic location, and wherein the control system inthe second wireless access node communicates with a control system inthe first wireless access node to perform operations comprising:determining, based on the first energy level and the second energylevel, that the first wireless access node should change from a firstnode active status to a first node inactive status, to yield adetermination; and based on the determination, changing the firstwireless access node from the first node active status to the first nodeinactive status such that the first wireless access node is notproviding the wireless communication service to the geographic locationand changing the second wireless access node from the second nodeinactive status to a second node active status such that the secondwireless access node, rather than the first wireless access node, servesthe geographic location with the wireless communication service.
 11. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the first wireless access node comprises oneof a receptacle a light post, a stoplight, a post, a guardrail, a sign,and a bench.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the second wirelessaccess node comprises one of a receptacle a light post, a stoplight, apost, a guardrail, a sign, and a bench.
 13. The system of claim 10,where the first wireless access node comprises a solar powered node andwherein the first energy level comprises a first node energy level. 14.The system of claim 10, where in the pair of nodes are paired such thatthey communicate with each other and coordinate which node of the pairof nodes will provide the wireless communication service to thegeographic location.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein an activestatus comprises providing the wireless communication service for mobiledevices to access the Internet.
 16. The system of claim 10, where thepair of nodes is paired at least in part based on the first wirelessaccess node and the second wireless access node being located within athreshold distance of one another.
 17. A wireless access nodecomprising: a processor; and a computer-readable storage device storinginstructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto perform operations comprising: pairing the wireless access node witha second wireless access node to yield a pair of nodes, wherein thewireless access node is co-located near the second wireless access nodesuch that can each of the wireless access node and the second wirelessaccess node can service a same geographic location, wherein when thewireless access node has a first energy level that is higher than asecond energy level of the second wireless access node, the wirelessaccess node communicates with the second wireless access node such thata control system in the second wireless access node sets the second nodeto a second node inactive status in which the second node does notprovide a wireless communication service to the geographic location;receiving communications from the second wireless access node to makeactive mode or inactive mode decisions for the wireless access node;determining, based on the first energy level and the second energylevel, that the wireless access node should change from a first nodeactive status to a first node inactive status, to yield a determination;and based on the determination, changing the wireless access node fromthe first node active status to the first node inactive status such thatthe wireless access node is not providing the wireless communicationservice to the geographic location, wherein the second wireless accessnode changes from the second node inactive status to a second nodeactive status such that the second wireless access node, rather than thewireless access node, serves the geographic location with the wirelesscommunication service.
 18. The wireless access node of claim 17, whereinthe wireless access node comprises one of a receptacle a light post, astoplight, a post, a guardrail, a sign, and a bench.
 19. The wirelessaccess node of claim 17, where the wireless access node comprises asolar powered node.
 20. The wireless access node of claim 17, where inthe pair of nodes are paired such that they communicate with each otherand coordinate which node of the pair of nodes will provide the wirelesscommunication.